She listened without interrupting.
I continued, “That’s why men like me always get what we want. Because we understand that the game is rigged. And playing fair gets you nowhere.”
She turned around, her head rising to face me. “Some of us have something called dignity. We play by the books.”
“Dignity?” I scoffed. “What is that if not a societal construct designed to keep the weak oppressed?”
“That’s not true,” she said, shaking her head. “Your view of life is flawed.”
“Wake up, Celine,” I said. “The world doesn’t reward people with ‘dignity.’ It rewards manipulators. Liars. Dictators—those who aren’t afraid to do whatever it takes to win. That’s the side I’m on. The side that commands fear and respect.”
She paused, her gaze unwavering, her hand reaching out to touch my face. She stared into my eyes as if searching for something, then finally whispered, “I see it now.”
“See what?”
“Your brokenness.”
“I’m not broken.”
She brushed her thumb against my cheek, her voice soft and gentle. “Artur, only a broken man views the world through a broken lens.”
Those words stung like a fuckin’ bee, a little more than they should have.
She tapped my face, curled her lips into a faint grin, and walked past me. I stood there by the window, unsure of how that statement made me feel.
“Are you coming or what?” she asked from behind me.
I slowly turned around and found her standing in front of the bed. My brows knitted together, confused. “What’s going on?”
“This is our first night as a married couple,” she began. “We have a duty to consummate it. Take your clothes off.”
Shocked by her last statement, my brows arched, a quiet scoff escaping my lips. “I know you think I’m a monster. But I won’t take you without your consent.”
Silence.
I let the words sink in for a second. “I also won’t indulge in this consummation act if you only see it as a duty.”
She reached for the zipper behind her back and slowly dragged it all the way down.
I watched in quiet anticipation, my heart already racing in my chest.
Celine held my gaze while undressing before me, her eyes holding a glint of desire. She slid her arms from the sleeves of her gown. One after the other.
Her fingers clutched the silk fabric, and she began tugging the dress down her body. Her breasts first came into view—beautiful and full—her nipples hard and erect.
My breath hitched at the sight.
The gown fell loosely at her feet, and she stepped out of it. Stark naked.
“Is this consent enough?”
I rubbed my eyes. “Celine—”
“I might not be your biggest fan,” she cut me off. “But I’m human. Flesh and blood. And I have needs.” She paused, looking right at me. “I know you do too. I know you want me. I can see it in your eyes.”
Like hell I do.
I stepped forward, undoing the buttons of my crisp white shirt. “Tell me what you want.”